Unfortunately, due to great need for grant monies and depleted funding, we did not receive any of the grants for which we applied for the day camps at the AWHC. However! We are NOT giving up! The Run for the Kids raised 3 FULL scholarships and we are looking for ways to fund more. If you, or your place of work, would be interested in sponsoring a camper with a full ($69) or partial scholarship, or would like more information about sponsoring a camper, please contact me (Madeline) at mhart-andersen@youthdiscovery.org and I will answer any questions you might have.
Why are we funding scholarships specifically for multicultural students? Multicultural students are a growing population in the Cache and Logan School Districts. They often score lower on state and national exams than their Caucasian counterparts. Sometimes, they do not feel welcome in their schools, leading to disaffection and dropping out. The number of multicultural students in Cache Valley continues to grow.
It is imperative that we create an atmosphere of inclusivity for these students, and ensure that they are making appropriate academic progress. These young students are the doctors, nurses, librarians, and teachers of the future. It benefits us, our children, and our grandchildren to give these students the tools they need to succeed.
What will they be doing? The day camps will include many of the traditional AWHC day camp activities, such as milking cows, baking with a wood-burning oven, or participating in traditional mountain men competitions. However, we will also be incorporating literacy skills into the day camps, so that multicultural students who are learning English or need to improve their English language skills will be able to practice writing, reading, and vocabulary over the summer in a fun atmosphere.
Why are scholarships necessary? Many of these students’ families have limited income, and their parents are unable to pay for summer activities. Studies have shown that extracurricular, non-traditional academic programs are a valuable asset for all students, and help keep them motivated to learn and remain in school. If we can help to ensure these students’ success now, we will see fewer drop-outs in the future, as well as a host of other benefits: lower youth delinquency and crime rates, lower teen pregnancy rates, an increase in enrollment for higher education – all of which benefit not only the youth but also the communities of Cache Valley
Again, if you or your place of work would be interested in sponsoring a camper, please get in contact with Madeline at mhart-andersen@youthdiscovery.org.
